Our focus with biorational products provides sustainable solutions for agriculture, including biological fungicide for the control of both fungal and bacterial diseases. They not only reduce disease pathogens, but also decrease crop stress, enhance plant physiology benefits (ISR & SAR), stimulate root growth and maintain higher quality postharvest shelf life.

Three Modes of Action

Companion® Liquid Biological Fungicide contains a unique strain of Bacillus subtilis GB03 that has three different modes of action to fight disease-causing pathogens. By releasing a broad-spectrum antibiotic (Iturin), it disrupts the pathogens cell wall causing desiccation. Forming a protective zone around the roots, it boosts the plant’s immune system to fight disease, Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR), restricting the development of diseases. It also reduces the potential of the pathogen to develop resistance. In all studies crop yield was increased.

Research trials evaluated the efficacy of Companion® Biological Fungicide and “TKO” Phosphite 0-29-26, in combination with commonly used fungicides, and alone, for the control of disease and yield increase. They focused on improving cucumber and squash crops yield, fighting the diseases Downy Mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) in cucumber and Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) in squash.

Trials with “TKO” Phosphite, in combination with the pesticides, improved the overall disease control when compared to the stand alone chemical. Companion Biological Fungicide in combination with chemical fungicides also realized improved efficacy of the pesticide. Additionally, there is a zero-day, pre-harvest interval to control late season diseases. Companion is an ideal addition to resistance management programs, as its complex modes of action greatly reduce the ability of the pathogen to develop resistance.

Foliage / Disease severity rating began on 18-Apr. Severity was evaluated using the overall area of diseased foliage. 5 representative plants, per replicate, per commodity were evaluated (means calculated using Horsfall-Barrett Scale (1-10)). Trial was inoculated on 8-Apr, following the first applications, by placing infected leaves at the ends of each commodity, in each plot. Similar inoculations continued on a weekly interval until disease pressure was established.

APPLICATION DATES:

7-Apr, 14-Apr, 18-Apr, 21-Apr, 25-Apr, 29-Apr, 2-May, & 6-May

APPLICATION METHOD:

CO2 Backpack Sprayer

TRIAL LENGTH:

Seeds sown on 25-Mar. Weekly applications began on 7-Apr. On 14-Apr application interval was shortened to every 4 days. A total of 8 applications were made. Applications were of either single product or 2 products in tandem.

Downy Mildew can develop at any stage of crop development, including the cotyledon stage, affecting plants of all ages, especially foliage which directly impacts the plant’s photosynthetic ability, resulting in stunted growth. The application of TKO Phosphite and Bravo reduced the disease incidence over the control by 68% and improved the overall performance of Bravo by an additional 31.4%.

It is a matter of scientific record that there is a synergy with certain biologicals when used both as tank mix with chemical pesticides, or in rotation. Since Companion is a gram-positive bacteria, it is not effected by chemical fungicides and will facilitate their efficacy. The results of this trial demonstrate that Companion Biological Fungicide improved efficacy of the Manzate Pro-Stick by 28.4%, adding even more certainty to avoiding resistance problems. Over all disease control over the untreated control was 65%.

Preventive sprays are essential in the control of Downy Mildew, before spores blow in. Overall improved efficacy compared to the untreated control was 57.6%. Companion improved the performance of the Bravo by an additional 8.5%.

Powdery mildew can over winter. Cucurbits are very susceptible to Powdery Mildew. Resistance to fungicides have been found in all parts of the US. Biorationals alternating or in combination with fungicides can reduce resistance problems. TKO Phosphite and Bravo reduced the disease incidence over the control by 76% and improved the overall performance of Bravo by an additional 9.3%. Ranman was ineffective in controlling the disease.

The application of TKO Phosphite and Manzate reduced the disease incidence over the control by 56% and improved the Manzate efficacy by an additional 31%.

TKO Phosphite is a registered trademark of Growth Products, Ltd. Companion Biological Fungicide is a registered trademark of Growth Products, ltd. Ranman is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. Bravo Weather Stik is a registered trademark of Syngenta Group Company. Man-zate Pro-Stick is a registered trademark of United Phosphorous, Inc.